Legal Sports Betting For California Residents
It is widely assumed that there is no way to bet on sports in California, as federal laws are fairly limiting when it comes to which states can actually authorize a sportsbook. The Internet has somewhat skewed this perception, however, as there is currently no regulation covering online sportsbooks in the state. We have followed the legal climate regarding online sports wagering in California, and we can assure you that it is easy enough to participate in the games without too much trouble beyond knowing where to play. We have examined the laws, tested the waters, and looked into the finer points of Internet betting in order to figure out what the deal is when it comes to this form of entertainment.
Online Sportsbooks And Sports Betting Sites Accepting California Residents
The number of sports betting sites accepting California residents is not slim, as the industry has not been stymied by the vague and limited laws pertaining to Internet gambling. In our search for the laws, we had also looked into a variety of sports gambling sites in order to make sure that players could freely participate without any real negative consequences other than the possibility of losing a bet. Follow our advice and you could very well win some serious cash.
Bovada - 20% Deposit Bonus Good For Up To $100
Intertops - One of the most trusted California sports betting sites
5Dimes - Fast payouts via check or other options
DSI - One of the oldest California sportsbooks.
BetOnline - This is a new sportsbook that accepts all California residents.
Is sports betting legal in California?If you live in California and want to place a wager, than it is likely that you have asked "is sports betting legal for California residents?" The answer to this question is somewhat complicated. One thing is for certain - sports betting is not regulated in California. Live sportsbooks are simply not an option under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which was to curtail to proliferation of live sportsbooks around the nation, but the Internet has not really been targeted. Sure, the Wire Act has been found to make online sports betting illegal, but only for those in the business of gambling, viz. the operator, not the player. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act has also done nothing to ban online sports betting, but it has complicated funding your account.
Current California Gambling Laws About Sports BettingUnder the current California laws, as per the California legislature, there is no clause or written doctrine that makes it a crime for players to bet on sports over the Internet. While there are the various federal laws that could have an impact on the online gambling industry, nothing on a state wide level has anything to do with prohibiting players from participating in the lines. The utter lack of regulation is where things become somewhat confusing. The legislature has at least taken steps in the right direction, as there has been some talk of regulating at least one form of online gambling - Internet poker - in spite of the generally negative attitude many officials have toward online gambling. One point to take away from all of this is that until the PASPA is changed, California's government cannot actually license and regulate an online sportsbook.
Legal Gambling Age In California
As with all states, you have to achieve a certain age before you can begin gambling in California. Wagering on sports in California is something you have to be 21 in order to do. If you are not 21, you may end up getting in trouble. Generally speaking, you can have you money confiscated if you attempt to gamble under the required age limit.
Land Based Gambling In California
Agua Caliente, Augustine, Barona, Bear River, Black Bart, Black Oak, Blue Lake, Buena Vista, Cache Creek, Cahuilla Creek, Cher-Ae Heights, Chicken Ranch, Chukchansi Gold, Chumash Casino, Colusa Casino, Coyote Valley, Desert Rose, Diamond Mountain, Eagle Mountain, Elk Valley, Fantasy Springs, Feather Falls, Gold Country, Golden Acorn, Harrah's Rincon, Havasu Landing, Hopland ShoKaWah, Jackson Rancheria, Jamul Casino, Konocti VIsta, La Posta, Lucky 7, Lucky Bear, Mono Wind, Morongo, Paiute Palace, Pala, Pauma, Pechanga, Pit River, Quechan, Red Earth, Red Fox, Red Hawk, River Rock, Robinson Rancheria, Rolling Hills Casino, Running Creek, San Manuel Indian, San Pablo Lytton, Santa Ysabel, Soboba, Spa Resort, Spotlight 29, Sugar Bowl, Sycuan, Table Mountain, Tachi Palace, Thunder Valley, Twin Pine, Valley View, Viejas, Win-River.
There are currently no brick and mortar gambling sites in the state of California.
FAQ About Online Sports Betting In California
1) Where can I find the state statutes for California's gambling laws?
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=330-337z
2) Has anyone been arrested for gambling online in California?
No. There has never been an arrest related to online gambling in the state of California.
3) Do I have to pay taxes on winnings earned through gambling on sports over the Internet?
Any income earned, regardless of its source, has to be declared on your taxes.
4) Is Bovada sportsbook legal in California?
Yes. California residents have full access to everything Bovada has to offer, including their sportsbook.
5) If the UIGEA makes financial transactions related to online gambling illegal, how can I get my winnings?
The UIGEA only makes it illegal for gambling sites and financial institutions to process these transactions. You cannot get in trouble for cashing a check or receiving a wire transfer.
6) Is there any land based sports gambling in California?
No. Under the terms and conditions of the PASPA, California's government does not have the right to license sports gambling.
7) If the state does not regulate these betting sites, how do I know they are legitimate?
Each of these wagering sites are fully licensed and operating in jurisdictions where this sort of thing is completely legal and regulated.
8) What restrictions are in place against sports gambling on the Internet?
The only real restriction on gambling on the Internet is that of the age requirements. Provided you do not violate the age limits, you have nothing to worry about in terms of meeting certain requirements.
9) Is there any talk of regulating sports gambling on a federal level?
It is unlikely that online sports gambling will be regulated in the United States, though it is a theoretical possibility.
10) What does "in the business of gambling" mean in the Wire Act?
Those that are in the business of gambling are the California online sports betting sites themselves, those who accept wagers - not make them.
